I have my 1/2 fare card on my Swiss Pass. Pre Swiss Pass they delivered my 1/2 fare cards to ZRH Flughafen SBB office.
I have a "locked" Apple I-phone which won't work in Switz.
Why would it not work in Switzerland, but elsewhere in Europe be fine?
In any event, wouldn't a conductor want to see my picture?
Indeed. When they scan my phone my picture appears on their screen.
The SBB Swiss Pass actually does not store anything. it's just an RFID card with a number. The entitlements (and all accompanying personal data, including your picture) are stored centrally, and the conductors apparently have a full copy of that on their devices.